Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: gallux on July 04, 2017, 06:01:54 PM

Title: Gynecomastia can help breast growth?
Post by: gallux on July 04, 2017, 06:01:54 PM
Hi ladies,

I am getting some information about the effects of HRT on breast growth while I am waiting to start my own. As many have said, YMMV but I'd like to know some experiences of MtFs that had a head start due to gynecomastia.

I had consumed finasteride for a few years, and in addition to a small gynecomastia, had my baldness halted and effects on sexual drive and sperm production, which was the reason I stopped at that time (my girlfriend now wife got very concerned at that time).

Does it inflict any positive effect (more growth due to that), same as starting with a flat chest or even negative effect, maybe affecting further absorption of estradiol/progesterone? The symptoms I experienced seem very consistent with anti-androgen consumption (I am aware that finasteride is an AH, however it is said it is not as good as other AH and used as a secondary AH only)... Considering that, I believe I should expect even more positive effects with a proper AH...

Thanks!
Title: Re: Gynecomastia can help breast growth?
Post by: AshleyP on July 05, 2017, 02:09:06 AM
Quote from: gallux on July 04, 2017, 06:01:54 PM
I am getting some information about the effects of HRT on breast growth while I am waiting to start my own. As many have said, YMMV but I'd like to know some experiences of MtFs that had a head start due to gynecomastia.

I posed the same question about six months ago and got some responses. That thread is here:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,216984.msg1920740.html#msg1920740

It describes where I started from. After about four months on HT, my moobs started swelling over a period of a few weeks. I call it swelling because it was such a sudden increase in size. I gained four inches across the bust, from 42" to 46". The under bust measurement increased an inch or so from 40" to 41" plus, and the over bust measurement increased from 42" to 44". Although it's harder to measure consistently, I believe the hemi-circumference increased from about 12 cm to about 16 cm. It sounds like a lot more than it really is. My best fitting bra is a 40-NB.

Curiously, I didn't experience the "bud development" behind the areola, painful nipples, tenderness, etc. It's a new experience to feel my breasts rub against my biceps and the inside of my forearms while doing things. Actually I enjoy it, but I have this uneasy feeling the girls may deflate as quickly as they inflated.

Like you always hear, YMMV. Let us know how things progress, or maybe post your starting measurements.

All the best,
--Ashley

Title: Re: Gynecomastia can help breast growth?
Post by: AnneK on July 05, 2017, 09:31:19 AM
I'm currently on dutasteride and hoping it will have a positive effect.
Title: Re: Gynecomastia can help breast growth?
Post by: laurenb on July 05, 2017, 08:22:54 PM
I had naturally occurring Gyno (since like 5-6th grade). Almost B-cups depending on my over-weightness ;). In the first say 4 months of HRT (Spiro+Estradiol - low to medium dose I guess), I had lots of pain, itching and soreness - the usual. They didn't really grow girth wise in that time but as I've said elsewhere here, they started to get denser and heavier. Definitely some infrastructure building going inside on along with buds. Now, after 6 months, I'm a full B and they still let me know they are there. The shape is filling out. The areolae are larger and the nips are always game for a rub :D So to answer your question I think yes gyno is an advantage.
Title: Re: Gynecomastia can help breast growth?
Post by: deanna7506 on July 06, 2017, 12:19:10 AM
During my puberty, I had gynecomastia which caused a lot of breast/nipple development. The doctor said I had to much testosterone which my body was converting to estrogen. It was very painful. Many years later, I'm now in my 50s, HRT, has caused my breasts to get fuller, heavier and my nipples to protrude more. I have not experienced the same nipple pain as during puberty.  I'm at least a 40B. Like Ashley, I feel them now when I do things. I enjoy the bounce when I walk, etc, however, running I need a sports bra. my wife and daughter comment on how much they  have grown. I wish I had taken a picture before I started. So, I believe HRT is continuing what my body started a long time ago. I hope this helps.

Deanna
Title: Re: Gynecomastia can help breast growth?
Post by: josie76 on July 06, 2017, 03:18:53 AM
I had gynocomastia noticeably starting about a decade ago. About 7-8 years ago I had a vesectomy. After this my testosterone dropped off sharply and my gynocomastia picked up. Before starting HRT I had tissues under both areoles. It started as hard spots under the nipple and slowly spread some.

While waiting for my HRT letter I began using herbs to lower my testosterone levels. Simple diet stuff known to reduce t levels and saw palmetto to reduce DHT. In a couple of months my tissues we're expanding beyond the areoles and were developing depth. I had small boobs when I started HRT. On finesteride spiro, and estradiol that growth really took off. For the first 3 months of low dose Estrace I had constant aches. Now they seem to grow in a different way. Sometimes they ache but mostly they seem to go through phases. First there seems to be more heavy tissue form under the areole. Then it's like it grows outward.

Mine have a long way to go but are noticeable and very hard to hide. They are also quite heavy. I have to wear a bra of some kind almost all the time. I can rush to the phone in the house without a bra or holding them with my arm or they hurt from bouncing.
Title: Re: Gynecomastia can help breast growth?
Post by: SaintAlia on July 06, 2017, 10:31:13 AM
I also had gynecomastia during puberty (the first time), and had a b cup before starting HRT. Since starting, my bust size has grown 4 inches, which surprised me. I too was wondering if having more to "work with" before starting HRT has given me a boost or will give me a boost. Conversely, I've wondered if my body has done all it intends to before even starting HRT, but evidently that fear was unbiased.